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Concept
Waste collector
Summary
A waste collector, also known as a garbageman, garbage collector, trashman (in the US), binman or dustman (in the UK), is a person employed by a public or private enterprise to collect and dispose of municipal solid waste (refuse) and recyclables from residential, commercial, industrial or other collection sites for further processing and waste disposal. Specialised waste collection vehicles (also known as garbage trucks in the US, bin lorries in the UK) featuring an array of automated functions are often deployed to assist waste collectors in reducing collection and transport time and for protection from exposure. Waste and recycling pickup work is physically demanding and usually exposes workers to an occupational hazard.
The first known waste collectors were said to come from Britain in the 1350s, coinciding with the Black Plague and were called "rakers."
A related occupation is that of a sanitation worker who operates and maintains sanitation technology.
Statistics show that waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs, at times more dangerous than police work, but consistently less dangerous than commercial fishing and ranch and farm work. On-the-job hazards include broken glass, medical waste such as syringes, caustic chemicals, objects falling out of overloaded containers, diseases that may accompany solid waste, asbestos, dog attacks and pests, inhaling dust, smoke and chemical fumes, severe weather, traffic accidents, and unpleasant smells that can make someone physically sick.
Risks also exist from working in close proximity to traffic hazards, and in using the heavy machinery (such as container lifters and compactors) found on collection vehicles.
Many varieties of English have a range of names for waste collectors, from formal job titles for municipal employees, to colloquial and regional terms.
Derf Backderf worked as a garbageman after finishing high school and wrote a comic called Trashed based on his experiences.
Georges St-Pierre - mixed martial artist and UFC Welterweight Champion, (worked as a garbage man for 6 months).
Official source
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